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A review by literary_maiden
Not Dating Material by Saxon James
5.0
ARC REVIEW
I cannot express how much I loved this book! It was real, it was honest, and it didn’t have any silly misunderstandings (I have to be honest I was worried). Even though this was a story about Seven and Molly, the place of Xander was never in question as the close friend to both protagonists, which made this book more real for me.
Relationships are all different, and the way we act in those relationships is independant to your experiences and the person. I loved that this was shown beautifully in this book. Seven and Xander’s relationship was forged in trauma and as a result they both rely on each other in different, but equally important and powerful, ways. Molly has had nothing but bad experiences in love, but is desperate for his person. The one who is honest and will love him as he is - over the top and needy (which I loved). I related to Molly on a deep level, as someone who just wants to be accepted as they are but seems to push others away. Even with his hang-ups, that he was able to never get jealous of Seven and Xander’s relationship was so important. I related strongly to Xander’s anxiety as well - it is seriously awful for those of us who suffer from intense anxiety - and loved that the difficulty and self-reproach was clearly shown, as well as that there is no easy answer.
This is also true for the protagonists. Both have things they need to work through, both need to accept another as impactful to their lives, and both (Seven especially) need to accept that letting another in is the beginning rather than the start of the end. I came away from this story happy for Seven and Molly, excited for Xander’s story and worried for Rush (seriously the not knowing what is going on may drive me crazy).
If you haven’t read the first one - The Husband Hoax - go read it now so you can truly appreciate and understand this found family and then read Not Dating Material by Saxon James to see yet another well deserved HEA.
I cannot express how much I loved this book! It was real, it was honest, and it didn’t have any silly misunderstandings (I have to be honest I was worried). Even though this was a story about Seven and Molly, the place of Xander was never in question as the close friend to both protagonists, which made this book more real for me.
Relationships are all different, and the way we act in those relationships is independant to your experiences and the person. I loved that this was shown beautifully in this book. Seven and Xander’s relationship was forged in trauma and as a result they both rely on each other in different, but equally important and powerful, ways. Molly has had nothing but bad experiences in love, but is desperate for his person. The one who is honest and will love him as he is - over the top and needy (which I loved). I related to Molly on a deep level, as someone who just wants to be accepted as they are but seems to push others away. Even with his hang-ups, that he was able to never get jealous of Seven and Xander’s relationship was so important. I related strongly to Xander’s anxiety as well - it is seriously awful for those of us who suffer from intense anxiety - and loved that the difficulty and self-reproach was clearly shown, as well as that there is no easy answer.
This is also true for the protagonists. Both have things they need to work through, both need to accept another as impactful to their lives, and both (Seven especially) need to accept that letting another in is the beginning rather than the start of the end. I came away from this story happy for Seven and Molly, excited for Xander’s story and worried for Rush (seriously the not knowing what is going on may drive me crazy).
If you haven’t read the first one - The Husband Hoax - go read it now so you can truly appreciate and understand this found family and then read Not Dating Material by Saxon James to see yet another well deserved HEA.